Cymbeline

Cymbeline

July 26-August 5, 2018 | Birdwing Open Air Classroom & La Colonia Community Center & Park

North Coast Rep’s newest Theatre School play, Cymbeline, by William Shakespeare, comes to two stages July 26-29 and August 2-5. Imagine Snow White mixed with Romeo and Juliet in Ancient Britain, but with a happy ending. The beautiful princess Imogen loves the peasant Posthumus, but her father, King Cymbeline, is warped by her wicked stepmother. Posthumus is exiled, and while abroad, bets on the loyalty of his love whom a rival, the creepy lachimo, wishes to test. Imogen remains true, but Iachimo’s lies prompt Posthumus to enlist his servant, Pisanio, to coax Imogen to run away with him to the forest and kill her. Imogen is eager to flee Britain and quickly plots her escape disguised as a boy. Abandoning Pisanio after he is unable to kill her in the woods, Imogen finds refuge with other woodsmen who had fled the King’s unjustified tyranny. Ultimately, evil is punished and love is restored through the power of forgiveness.

Theatre School Director Benjamin Cole hopes that through working together, fighting for what is right even if it isn’t popular, and forgiving those who were led astray, peace can be realized. The production is recommended for grades six and up, but all audiences may enjoy.

The June 26-29 performances are located at Birdwing Open Air Classroom, 2775 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, and the August 2-5 performances are located at La Colonia Community & Park, 715 Valley Ave, Solana Beach. All performances are free.

The cast includes: Phillip Korth (Jenison, Michigan), Emma Thompson (San Marcos, California), Oscar Harkins (Surrey, Britain), Gillian Shapiro (San Marcos, California), Sophia Swofford (San Elijo, California), Claire Schechter (San Diego, California), Jackson Kampf (Carmel Valley, California), Eva Reineck (Carlsbad, California), Shea Salel (Solana Beach, California), Chloe Canler (Encinitas, California), Mo Hetzer (Del Mar, California), Caroline Salel (Solana Beach, California), John Blackstone-Gardner (Carmel Valley, California), Rachel Weir (Encinitas, California), Sophia Kahn (Rancho Santa Fe, California), and Christian Payne (Carlsbad, California) 

The Theatre School @ North Coast Rep encourages young minds to explore the adventures of live performance so they further understand and appreciate it as an art form. With this foundation, the school is dedicated to educating further theatre professionals in the highest standards of the most essential elements of theatre, and inspiring students to become lifelong theatre supporters. The Theatre School offers a multi-faceted array of cultural and educational programs to students from grades K-12 throughout San Diego County to provide them with the skills and confidence they need to excel in any profession. northcoastrep.org

Photography by Aaron-Rumley